A Mark In Time

Mark Knopfler Discussion => One Deep River / The Boy => Topic started by: Love Expresso on March 23, 2024, 10:55:01 AM

Title: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Love Expresso on March 23, 2024, 10:55:01 AM
Hey

I thought about the "One" in One Deep River and why it's there. "A deep river" of course sounds not as good but would have the same meaning? Sorry to bother you with something like this. I am aware that there are many English grammar rules that are beyond me and I don't detect but as this is an album title and thereore important,  I thought I could dare to ask. Is it to emphasize that this is a very deep river (don't know if the Tyne is very deep) or that it is a special one? Superval?  :think Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

LE
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: superval99 on March 23, 2024, 11:27:55 AM
Hey

I thought about the "One" in One Deep River and why it's there. "A deep river" of course sounds not as good but would have the same meaning? Sorry to bother you with something like this. I am aware that there are many English grammar rules that are beyond me and I don't detect but as this is an album title and thereore important,  I thought I could dare to ask. Is it to emphasize that this is a very deep river (don't know if the Tyne is very deep) or that it is a special one? Superval?  :think Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

LE

Hi LE!   I would say that "One" in the title means that is a very special river especially to MK and most Tynesiders.  If "A" was used it would be just any river.   Others may have a different interpretation!   
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: quizzaciously on March 23, 2024, 12:26:03 PM
Hey

I thought about the "One" in One Deep River and why it's there. "A deep river" of course sounds not as good but would have the same meaning? Sorry to bother you with something like this. I am aware that there are many English grammar rules that are beyond me and I don't detect but as this is an album title and thereore important,  I thought I could dare to ask. Is it to emphasize that this is a very deep river (don't know if the Tyne is very deep) or that it is a special one? Superval?  :think Anyone else? Thanks in advance.

LE

Hi LE!   I would say that "One" in the title means that is a very special river especially to MK and most Tynesiders.  If "A" was used it would be just any river.   Others may have a different interpretation!

I have the same interpretation. Mark uses "one" usually when name-dropping important people, in his radio show he used the formula "one + name" many times. As in "One Jim Cox" or "One Peter Knight".
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Love Expresso on March 23, 2024, 12:55:54 PM
Hey, thank you very much to both of you! That helps a lot.

LE
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Matchstickman on March 23, 2024, 08:46:39 PM
But wouldn't the album title sound better as simply "Deep River"...?  :think
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: quizzaciously on March 23, 2024, 09:09:39 PM
But wouldn't the album title sound better as simply "Deep River"...?  :think

Probably, but it again diminishes the significance of this specific river, besides it's a quote from the lyrics of the song. The River is also an option, but there are so many songs and albums with this title it's out of the question. One Deep River sounds really Knopfler to me, so as Down the Road Wherever.
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Robson on March 23, 2024, 10:23:26 PM
I suspect the title song will be soulful and I can't wait.
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Matchstickman on March 24, 2024, 03:51:21 PM
But wouldn't the album title sound better as simply "Deep River"...?  :think

Probably, but it again diminishes the significance of this specific river, besides it's a quote from the lyrics of the song. The River is also an option, but there are so many songs and albums with this title it's out of the question. One Deep River sounds really Knopfler to me, so as Down the Road Wherever.

Well, it's subjective of course, but Tunnel of Love arguably sounds better than "The Tunnel of Love", and it's still about the one tunnel in the lyrics, regardless of "the". Much like for this album title.
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Pierre on March 24, 2024, 06:06:47 PM
Another way I would read that title is "Such a deep river" or "Quite a deep river"
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Love Expresso on March 24, 2024, 06:43:55 PM
Another way I would read that title is "Such a deep river" or "Quite a deep river"

Yes, that is how I understood it as well.

LE
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Matchstickman on March 24, 2024, 09:18:34 PM
Another way I would read that title is "Such a deep river" or "Quite a deep river"

Yes, that is how I understood it as well.

LE

Yes, you may be right. Maybe it's a character speaking the line in the lyrics.
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: qjamesfloyd on March 25, 2024, 08:00:40 AM
It is more to do with the Tyne river specifically,  it is not just a river, for Mark, it is a symbol for his youth, his identity, his love for the area, so, it is "deep" for more than just the amount of water it contains.
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: Love Expresso on March 25, 2024, 08:15:46 AM
I agree. Guy called the complete album "deep" several times.

LE
Title: Re: One stupid grammar question
Post by: superval99 on March 25, 2024, 09:15:35 AM
I agree. Guy called the complete album "deep" several times.

LE

The title "One Deep River" is about Mark's deep affection for the River Tyne specifically - hence "One".